April 24, 2007

Basso withdraws from upcoming races.: Italian Olympic Committee investigation of Basso link to Operacion Puerto has been reopened. Discovery has issued a press release asking him to stop racing pending investigation. Will he be racing in Giro or TdF this year?

No, he won't. The evidence against him looks pretty damning, and it seems more likely that the blood will get tested now that it's out of the Spanish legal system. Even if he does get cleared - which I doubt - he still ain't riding the grand tours this year. The Giro starts in less than a month, and no way will this be wrapped up before then. And the ASO have already said they want all to Puerto riders to stay away from the Tour. It's not looking good for him.